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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






2. Movement or passage that concludes the musical composition.






3. Three to four movement orchestral piece - generally in sonata form.






4. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






5. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






6. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






7. The highest female voice.






8. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






9. Three note chords consisting of a root - third - and fifth.






10. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






11. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






12. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






13. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






14. In sheet music - a symbol at the beginning of the staff defining the pitch of the notes found in that particular staff.






15. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






16. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






17. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






18. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






19. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






20. A composition written for nine instruments.






21. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






22. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






23. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






24. Repetition of a single tone.






25. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






26. A mild glissando between two notes for an expressive effect.






27. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






28. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






29. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






30. The principal note of a triad.






31. Unmusical - without tone.






32. A drama where the words are sung instead of spoken.






33. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






34. Pertains to tone or tones.






35. A group singing in unison.






36. The movement of chords in succession.






37. Primary theme or subject that is developed.






38. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






39. An instrumental lament with praise for the dead.






40. A direction in sheet music indicating the tempo is to be very fast.






41. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






42. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






43. A quick - improvisational - spirited piece of music.






44. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






45. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






46. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






47. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






48. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






49. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






50. A song of praise and glorification. Most often to honor God.